An Extinction Rebellion member wearing a blonde wig who scaled the scaffolding around Big Ben and hung a protest banner has begun his descent.

Tree
surgeon Ben Atkinson, 43, free climbed the scaffolding surrounding the base of
Queen Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben and stayed there for half an hour
before beginning to climb down at 4.26pm.

He
hung a LGBT rainbow banner reading “No pride on a dead planet” and a second
banner reading “Citizens Assembly” referencing the third of XR’s three UK
demands.

An
XR spokesperson said Mr Atkinson was protesting “to highlight the government
inaction on the climate and ecological emergency”.

He
is said to be dressed up as Boris Johnson, wearing a blonde wig, blazer and
tie.

Police
were heard yelling at him to come down for his own safety and have cleared the
area surrounding the landmark and closed the nearest entrance to Westminster
Tube station.

Two
ambulances and two police vans have arrived at the scene and appear to be
discussing how best to ensure Mr Atkinson’s safety.

XR
co-founder Clare Farrell, who was on Sky News as the protester began his climb,
said she did not know the protest was going to happen before it did, but argued
against claims the environmental group had lost control.